Abstract
In the previous decade, the prevalence of HBs-Ag positivity and the anti-HCV positivity declined in Turkey. We aimed to investigate the prevalences of HBs Ag and anti-HCV positivity in pregnant women in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, while the vertical transmission should be important way of HBV and HCV transmission. HBs-Ag positivity was determined 2.8% (102) out of 4,700 pregnant women, and 0.1% (6) out of them were positive for anti-HCV. The prevalences of HBs Ag and anti-HCV were both similar to the rate of that seen in western region of Turkey.
Dear Sir,
In the previous decade, the prevalence of HBs-Ag positivity declined from 4.19 to 2.10% in Turkey [1]. Despite reduction, Turkey has been still a member of intermediate endemic areas for HBV infection [2]. The major HBV transmission way should be horizontally in Turkey, similar to the other countries demonstrates intermediate HBV endemicity [2, 3], whereas vertical transmission of HBV infection has been important in high endemic areas. Moreover, because of the increasing of HBV seroprevalences from west to east regions in Turkey (for HBs Ag, 2–4 to 3.9–12.5%) an overall estimation about the problem of HBV infection could not be done [2, 4].
The anti-HCV positivity also declined from 56 per 10,000 to 34 per 10,000 in the last decade [1]. Since 1992, all blood and blood components have been screened routinely for anti-HCV that allowed to decrease the incidence of parenterally HCV transmission. The vertical transmission of HCV has been still important.
We aimed to investigate the prevalences of HBs Ag and anti-HCV positivity in pregnant women with the method of ELISA, admitted to our reference hospital in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. From 01 June 2006 to 31 December 2006, all pregnant women who were attending to antenatal and high-risk pregnancy department were screened for HBs Ag and anti-HCV in Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Woman’s Health Education and Research Hospital, retrospectively. Among 4,700 consecutive pregnant women HBs-Ag positivity was 2.2% (102), and anti-HCV positivity was 0.1% (6).
Our seropositivity rates for HBs Ag (2.2%) and anti-HCV (0.1%) among pregnant women were both similar to the rate of that seen in general population in western region of Turkey (2–4%).
References
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Altınbas, S., Erdogan, M. & Danışman, N. The seroprevalences of HBs Ag and anti-HCV in pregnant women in Ankara. Arch Gynecol Obstet 281, 371 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1145-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-009-1145-6